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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 0:59:18 GMT
I agree with everyone who has said this will be a massive hit, it's fabulous, best night I've had in the theatre in years.
There are things I could nitpick about it, like the dancing not being tight enough yet, some missed mic cues and the sound balance in the Upper Circle being dreadful - either that or a lot of the cast have poor diction, either way I couldn't make out half the lines and lyrics. Plus the Upper Circle in the Savoy in winter is freezing! Great clear view though.
I thought the cast were generally really strong - I wasn't a huge fan of Lissi in Act 1 but thought she hit her stride in Act 2, and Listen was a huge highlight in the show and brilliantly sung by both ladies. Ibinabo is fantastic and the leading men are all great. The weak link for me is Lily Frazer, I could barely hear what she was singing, there seemed to be no power in her voice at all unfortunately. It's a bit of a thankless part though in any case.
And as for Amber, I thought she was astonishingly good. Vocally extraordinary, just out of this world. I had goosebumps and was shivering through And I Am Telling You, she nearly took the roof off the Savoy several times and there was so much depth and passion to her voice. What a privilege to witness that performance. Great acting and comic timing as well, and she's not a bad dancer too! Well deserved multiple standing ovations!
This is going to get raves across the board after press night I suspect, and the Olivier will be really difficult to call. Having seen nearly all the major potential nominees, I'd give it to Amber. I doubt we'll see a vocal performance like that in the West End for a long, long time.
PS thanks to theatremonkey for the seat recommendation - I'll be buying those mid-row front section upper circle seats as often as I can! Quick question as well - have there ever been slip seats where the lighting rigs are at the edges of the upper circle? Looked to me like prime spots for slips, but unfortunately for this show the rigging gets in the way!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 5:20:17 GMT
Stage door looks a nightmare for this one... not that I am surprised, but at least when Sheridan was in house the stage door, in my experience, was alot more polite and respectful. This just looks like aoot of pushing and shoving to get at her!
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Post by colin on Dec 2, 2016 12:39:47 GMT
Seen the show last night and just wow. It literally blows your mind the vocals from all people and obviously Amber. The song I am changing is a class above also! For me Jimmy Early is an absolute star the actor who plays him is incredibly talented and vocally amazing. I am dying already to see the show again. Its visually amazing and I have never heard such strong vocals on all numbers in a musical before.
Worth every penny of the expensive tickets I say.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 13:08:45 GMT
I'm so so surprised at the stage door crush!! Cannot believe how busy it is, I was hoping to stage door but I don't think I will.
In my eyes, Sheridan is more famous that Amber so I thought it would've been more busy for Funny Girl. However, I never watched Glee so it's just down to what you watch
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Post by Mark on Dec 2, 2016 13:47:15 GMT
I'm so so surprised at the stage door crush!! Cannot believe how busy it is, I was hoping to stage door but I don't think I will. In my eyes, Sheridan is more famous that Amber so I thought it would've been more busy for Funny Girl. However, I never watched Glee so it's just down to what you watch Twitter followers Sheridan Smith - 657k followers Amber Riley - 1.26 Million followers Not a way to measure, but she is certainly well known and loved. |
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Post by talkstageytome on Dec 2, 2016 14:16:49 GMT
Yeah, Glee was a BIG thing, especially with young people who are typically more keen to stagedoor - I'm really not shocked. Don't do the whole stagedooring thing anymore as I find it quite cringey (as in... the experience for me personally is awkward. I've nothing against people who do it, as long as they're polite), but I must say that the dormant Glee lover in me wouldn't say no to a cheeky selfie  . Never going to happen though by the looks of things!  |
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Post by Steffi on Dec 2, 2016 14:43:09 GMT
I was at stage door briefly post show to wait for Joe. But since he is always pretty quickI didn't see what it was like once Amber appeared. I did see Lissi come out though and everything seemed calm and polite then. People formed a line and both Lissi and Joe went down the line signing programmes and taking pictures.
Obviously Amber will be the main draw for many people at stage door but if it is any of the other cast members you want to see you should be fine. :-)
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Post by lolasangel on Dec 2, 2016 14:46:50 GMT
Tonight is the debut of Karen Mav as Effie. (The less famous standby)
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Post by wickedginger on Dec 2, 2016 14:47:03 GMT
What are the chances of this being extended beyond May 6th?
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Post by Steffi on Dec 2, 2016 14:49:48 GMT
What are the chances of this being extended beyond May 6th? Very good unless sales drop dramatically I'd say. It's an open run. |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Dec 2, 2016 17:55:18 GMT
Seeing the show tonight. Sooooooooooo annoyed that I won't be seeing Amber Riley. Arrrrggghhhhhhhh!!!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 2, 2016 18:25:54 GMT
Tonight is the debut of Karen Mav as Effie. (The less famous standby) I thought the alternates were only doing matinees? Is this a tryout during previews for Karen maybe? If my party don't see Amber Riley on our Friday night in January I dread to think what will happen...  |
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Post by ali973 on Dec 2, 2016 18:27:34 GMT
Fabulous. I can't wait to see one or both of the alternates and a Deena understudy. I originally intended to see one of the alternates on the first Wednesday of the run when I was in London but got Amber instead (having already seen her on the first preview). I wasn't disappointed of course, but still looking forward to seeing/hearing another take!
However, I thought that the alternates were only scheduled to go on Wednesday? So was Amber indisposed?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 18:37:56 GMT
Tonight is the debut of Karen Mav as Effie. (The less famous standby) I thought the alternates were only doing matinees? Is this a tryout during previews for Karen maybe? If my party don't see Amber Riley on our Friday night in January I dread to think what will happen... Amber is supposed to do 7 out of 8 shows. The alternate usually does the Wednesday evening, not sure when that starts |
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Post by theatremadness on Dec 2, 2016 18:41:52 GMT
Amber was not supposed to be doing the Wednesday evening just gone, but the alternate that *was* supposed to be on was very ill, so Amber went on instead even though it was her performance off. Had a friend who won the lottery for that night expecting not to see her, but very surprised and happy they did. They had a friend in the cast who said Amber really let rip that night even more so if that's possible (only going by comments, not seen it yet!), so maybe they gave her tonight off instead? Not sure how or if they've worked it, or if she just needed a night off!
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Post by theatremadness on Dec 2, 2016 20:34:09 GMT
Turns out that was the reason!
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Post by Mark on Dec 2, 2016 20:41:34 GMT
Completely get the reasons for it happening and such is showbiz! But slightly bad practice to tweet this an hour after the performance began?
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Post by BGLowe on Dec 2, 2016 21:15:09 GMT
Apologies if this has already been discussed. Does anyone have any recommendations for decent but not too expensive seats for this? I don't really fancy forking out 75 but I am keen to see it!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 23:06:21 GMT
Apologies if this has already been discussed. Does anyone have any recommendations for decent but not too expensive seats for this? I don't really fancy forking out 75 but I am keen to see it! Middle of the front section of the upper circle - I was centre row C last night, paid £29.50 and had a completely uninterrupted view with no need to lean forward except for one tiny inconsequential bit. The cast play it to the whole house rather than just the stalls, and being up high you can really appreciate the costumes and lighting effects as a whole. And a very short queue for the ladies at the interval was an added bonus. Bring a scarf though, the upper circle is freezing! To add to the stage door conversation, it wasn't manic at all last night. Maybe about 30 people maximum, some waiting for people other than Amber. Amber was doing autographs but no photos, and she was done signing and away home in 5 minutes flat. No pushing and shoving at all. Security are pretty good about letting people know how long it'll be until she comes out as well, it was all very well organised. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 23:29:24 GMT
How long did it take for Amber to come out?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2016 0:25:05 GMT
How long did it take for Amber to come out? About half an hour - I think the show finished around 10pm (I didn't look at my watch), and she came out at about 10.30. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 3, 2016 7:19:58 GMT
Apologies if this has already been discussed. Does anyone have any recommendations for decent but not too expensive seats for this? I don't really fancy forking out 75 but I am keen to see it! There's a front stalls ticket on sale here for £59.50 or maybe an offer would be accepted if it hasn't gone yet? It's for tonight - 3rd Dec. www.theatreboard.co.uk/post/56376 |
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Post by d'James on Dec 3, 2016 12:08:26 GMT
Didn't win the lottery.
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 4, 2016 11:51:27 GMT
I can only compare the atmosphere to when I saw color purple on Broadway.
Amber was electric. Two mid show standing ovations - and I am telling you and listen - and full standing ovation at the end.
Never seen an audience go nuts like it
I don't see her vocally being able sing like that every night though. She proper goes at it 1000%. And it won't hold.
Phenomenal though.
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Post by BGLowe on Dec 4, 2016 18:39:52 GMT
Apologies if this has already been discussed. Does anyone have any recommendations for decent but not too expensive seats for this? I don't really fancy forking out 75 but I am keen to see it! There's a front stalls ticket on sale here for £59.50 or maybe an offer would be accepted if it hasn't gone yet? It's for tonight - 3rd Dec. www.theatreboard.co.uk/post/56376Thanks for the heads up! Unfortunately I live quite a way from London or I would have been there! |
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. Never going to happen though by the looks of things! 
